Volleyball: Miller City advances to Division III districts

LEIPSIC — Miller City’s volleyball team ousted Ottoville out of the Division IV tournament with a 25-18, 25-11, 20-25, 25-15 victory Thursday night in a sectional final.

Miller City (21-2) had swept the Lady Big Green (14-10) in the regular campaign.

“Libby Erford had a good game tonight, we were able to get a lot of blocks. Our girls did a good job of hitting the spots.” Miller City coach Kari Morman said.

The opening set teetered back and forth until the Wildcats got the serve on a kill by Cloe Kuhlman (15 kills, 3 stuffs) tied it at 14. That started a 5-0 run that put them up 18-14. A 3-point mini-spurt gave them a 22-16 edge and a hitting error by Ottoville (22 overall) gave them a set lead.

Set number two belonged to Miller City on the strength of a 11-point spurt putting the Wildcats ahead 12-3, and they rode that momentum to a 2-0 set lead on a stuff by Kuhlman.

Back came Ottoville in the third set. Setter Erica Thorbahn (40 assists) began to find Kendal Schnipke (14 kills) regularly, as well as Carly Thorbahn (16 kills) to get their own momentum. Runs of 4-0 (twice) gave them a 14-5 edge. Miller City tried to rally with a 6-point spurt but the Big Green held off their Putnam County League foe the rest of the set. A hitting error on Miller City (15 for the match) got them within a set.

“Ottoville is very good, the Thorbahn girl is tough. We did a good job of getting to her if you don’t get the blocks on her it is just going straight down.” Morman said.

Set four would mirror the previous as the teams battled back and forth. A four-point run put Miller City up 13-8. A later 5-0 rally capped by a tip by Wildcat setter Josie Otto (36 assists) gave them a 20-11 advantage. From there, it was only a matter of time and a missed serve sealed the win.

David Boninsegna wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.